A former flight attendant for Delta Air Lines who sustained severe back injuries when an aircraft came to an abrupt stop on the runway attempted to file a personal injury suit against the airline. After several spinal surgeries, she was still unable to return to work as a flight attendant.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of her personal injury suit. Massachusetts law states that an employer is entitled to immunity from personal liability when the injury occurs in the scope of employment.
The claimant asserted that while she had been employed by Delta, she ended her employment relationship when she went to work for Song Airlines. However, since Song Airlines is a Delta subsidiary, the court found that she was still under Delta’s control. Therefore, the former employee was provided workers’ compensation as the sole remedy for her back injuries.
Source: Employment relationship with airline derails personal injury suit, RiskandInsurance.com, June 3, 2010
Our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers can assist you with spinal, brain, and other injuries.